Cloning,expression, and characterization of thermostable Manganese superoxide dismutase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermoascus aurantiacus</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">levisporus</Emphasis>

A superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene of Thermoascus aurantiacus var. levisporus, a thermophilic fungus, was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Pichia pastoris and its gene product was characterized. The coding sequence predicted a 231 residues protein with a unique 35 amino acids extension at the N-terminus indicating a mitochondrial-targeting sequence. The content of Mn was 2.46 μg/mg of protein and Fe was not detected in the purified enzyme. The enzyme was found to be inhibited by NaN₃, but not by KCN or H₂O₂. These results suggested that the SOD in Thermoascus aurantiacus var. levisporus was the manganese superoxide dismutase type. In comparison with other MnSODs, all manganese-binding sites were also conserved in the sequence (H88, H136, D222, H226). The molecular mass of a single band of the enzyme was estimated to be 21.7 kDa. The protein was expressed in tetramer form with molecular weight of 68.0 kDa. The activity of purified protein was 2,324 U/mg. The optimum temperature of the enzyme was 55°C and it exhibited maximal activity at pH 7.5. The enzyme was thermostable at 50 and 60°C and the half-life at 80°C was approximately 40 min.     

Comparison of the effects of symmetric and asymmetric temperature elevation and CO2 enrichment on yield and evapotranspiration of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Under the changing climate, asymmetric warming pattern would be more likely during day and night time, instead of symmetric one. Concurrently, the growth responses and water use of plants may be different compared with those estimated based on symmetric warming. In this work, it was compared with the effects of symmetric (ETs) and asymmetric (ETa) elevation of temperature alone, and in interaction with elevated carbon dioxide concentration (EC), on the grain yield (GY) and evapotranspiration in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) based on pot experiment in the North China Plain (NCP). The experiment was carried out in six enclosed‐top chambers with following climate treatments: (1) ambient temperature and ambient CO₂ (CON), (2) ambient temperature and elevated CO₂ (EC), (3) elevated temperature and ambient CO₂ (ETs; ETa), and (4) elevated temperature and elevated CO₂ (ECETs, ECETa). In symmetric warming, temperature was increased by 3°C and in asymmetric one by 3.5°C during night and 2.5°C during daytime, respectively. As a result, GY was in ETa and ETs 15.6 (P < 0.05) and 10.3% (P < 0.05) lower than that in CON. In ECETs and ECETa treatments, GY was 14.9 (P < 0.05) and 9.1% (P < 0.05) higher than that in CON. Opposite to GY, evapotranspiration was 7.8 (P < 0.05) and 17.9% (P < 0.05) higher in ETa and ETs treatments and 7.2 (P < 0.05) and 2.1% (P > 0.05) lower in ECETs and ECETa treatments compared with CON. Thus, GY of wheat could be expected to increase under the changing climate with concurrent elevation of CO₂ and temperature as a result of increased WUE under the elevated CO₂. However, the gain would be lower under ETa than that estimated based on ETs due to higher evapotranspiration.     

微生物来源的γ内酰胺酶研究进展

γ-内酰胺酶属于酰胺酶,其中的(+)γ-内酰胺酶能够高效率的动力学拆分外消旋体γ-内酰胺,获得光学纯的(-)γ-内酰胺。光学纯的(-)γ-内酰胺是制备抗病毒药物碳环核苷化合物的重要手性中间体。目前报道共有7个来源于微生物的γ-内酰胺酶,其中来源于Aureoacterium sp.的(-)γ-内酰胺酶的晶体结构获得了解析。根据晶体结构推测的(-)γ-内酰胺酶的催化机理与α/β水解酶超家族的催化机理是类似的。但是,目前还没有(+)γ-内酰胺酶的晶体结构模型的数据及机理的描述。γ-内酰胺酶的研究方向主要包括γ-内酰胺酶的蛋白质工程改造,对不同对映体选择性的γ-内酰胺酶的催化机理的阐述,以及γ-内酰胺酶在生物体内的功能研究。     

人胎盘滋养层细胞培养与体外hCG释放的研究

本研究的目的是了解细胞滋养层细胞和合胞体滋养层细胞体外分化和生物学特性。方法:采用酶消化和Percoll密度梯度离心法,对人足月胎盘细胞滋养层细胞进行分离、纯化和体外培养。采用放射免疫法(RIA)检测细胞培养上清液hCG含量的变化。结果:经分离和纯化的细胞滋养层细胞在体外培养中生长良好,通过细胞分裂和融合形成合胞体滋养层细胞,随着合胞体滋养层细胞的生长,细胞培养上清液中hCG含量显著升高。我们认为从胎盘中分离和纯化的细胞滋养层细胞在体外培养中可分化和融合形成合胞体滋养层细胞,体外hCG含量的增加与合胞体滋养层细胞生长有关。     

Genome-wide regulation of 5hmC, 5mC, and gene expression by Tet1 hydroxylase in mouse embryonic stem cells

DNA methylation at the 5 position of cytosine (5mC) in the mammalian genome is a key epigenetic event critical for various cellular processes. The ten-eleven translocation (Tet) family of 5mC-hydroxylases, which convert 5mC to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), offers a way for dynamic regulation of DNA methylation. Here we report that Tet1 binds to unmodified C or 5mC- or 5hmC-modified CpG-rich DNA through its CXXC domain. Genome-wide mapping of Tet1 and 5hmC reveals mechanisms by which Tet1 controls 5hmC and 5mC levels in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). We also uncover a comprehensive gene network influenced by Tet1. Collectively, our data suggest that Tet1 controls DNA methylation both by binding to CpG-rich regions to prevent unwanted DNA methyltransferase activity, and by converting 5mC to 5hmC through hydroxylase activity. This Tet1-mediated antagonism of CpG methylation imparts differential maintenance of DNA methylation status at Tet1 targets, ultimately contributing to mESC differentiation and the onset of embryonic development.     

A new genotyping method for detecting low abundance single nucleotide mutations based on gap ligase chain reaction and quantitative PCR assay

We tested applicability of a new genotyping technique to detect a low abundance CD17 (A → T) mutation of β-globin gene. The technique utilized a combined gap ligase chain reaction (Gap-LCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods. One pair of Gap-LCR primers was modified by adding specific sequences to the 5′ end of the upstream and the 3′ end of the downstream primer which served as a combining sequence for qPCR. First, specific mutation is detected using Gap-LCR; then, ligation products are detected by qPCR. Our results show that the amount of LCR products is directly proportional to the amount of template DNA. We further demonstrate that this technique detects a low abundance mutant DNA with a mutant/normal allele ratio as low as 1:10000. This technique was applied to detect a paternally inherited CD17 mutation from 53 maternal plasma samples. The results were consistent with those obtained by PCR/reverse dot blot of amniotic fluid cell DNA. In conclusion, by combining Gap-LCR and qPCR technology we successfully established a highly sensitive technique to detect low abundance point mutations. This technique can be applied to detect fetal DNA point mutation in maternal plasma.     

武夷山不同海拔植被土壤呼吸季节变化及对温度的敏感性

以武夷山国家级自然保护区为实验基地,研究了4种不同海拔高度上植物群落土壤呼吸速率的季节变化及其对温度的敏感性,以及与主要环境因子的关系.结果表明：4种不同海拔植物群落的土壤呼吸速率均具有明显且一致的季节变化,其中夏季土壤呼吸速率最大,为3.10～6.57 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,冬季最小,为0.27～1.15 μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1;土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度呈显著指数相关,不同样地土壤呼吸速率与土壤含水率和凋落物输入量的关系各不相同;高海拔地区土壤呼吸的Q₁₀值显著高于低海拔地区.在中亚热带地区,不同海拔土壤呼吸速率的季节波动主要受土壤温度的影响;在未来全球气候变暖的背景下,高海拔地区的土壤可能释放更多的CO₂.     

Arsenic in the rhizosphere soil solution of ferns

The aim of this study was to explore the evidence of arsenic hyperaccumulation in plant rhizosphere solutions. Six common fern plants were selected and grown in three types of substrate: arsenic (As) -tailings, As-spiked soil, and soil-As-tailing composites. A rhizobox was designed with an in-situ collection of soil solutions to analyze changes in the As concentration and valence as well as the pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total nitrogen (TN). Arsenite composed less than 20% of the total As, and As depletion was consistent with N depletion in the rhizosphere solutions of the various treatments. The As concentrations in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere solutions in the presence of plants were lower than in the respective controls without plants, except for in the As-spiked soils. The DOC concentrations were invariably higher in the rhizosphere versus non-rhizosphere solutions from the various plants; however, no significant increase in the DOC content was observed in Pteris vittata, in which only a slight decrease in pH appeared in the rhizosphere compared to non-rhizosphere solutions. The results showed that As reduction by plant roots was limited, acidification-induced solubilization was not the mechanism for As hyperaccumulation.     

The mechanism of myoblast deformation in response to cyclic strain - A cytomechanical study

Mechanical strain is one of the important epigenetic factors that cause deformation and differentiation of skeletal muscles. This research was designed to investigate how myoblast deformation occurs after cyclic strain loading. Myoblasts were passaged three times and harvested; various cyclic strains (2.5kPa, 5kPa and 10kPa) were then loaded using a pulsatile mechanical system. The adaptive response of the myoblasts was observed at different time points (0.5h, 1h, 6h and 12h) post-loading. At the early stage of cyclic strain loading (<1h), almost no visible morphological changes were observed in the myoblasts. The actin cytoskeleton showed a disordered arrangement and a weak fluorescence expression; there was little expression of talin. At 6h and 12h post-loading, the myoblasts changed their orientation to parallel (in the 2.5kPa and 5kPa groups) or perpendicular (in the 10kPa group) to the direction of strain. Fluorescence expression of both the actin cytoskeleton and talin was significantly increased. The results suggest that cyclic strain has at least two ways to regulate adaptation of myoblasts: (1) by directly affecting actin cytoskeleton at an early stage post-loading to cause depolymerization; and (2) by later chemical signals transmitted from the extracellular side to intracellular side to initiate repolymerization.     

Cloned pig fetuses exhibit fatty acid deficiency from impaired placental transport

Cloned pig fetuses produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer show a high incidence of erroneous development in the uteri of surrogate mothers. The mechanisms underlying the abnormal intrauterine development of cloned pig fetuses are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the potential causes of the aberrant development of cloned pig fetuses. The levels of numerous fatty acids in allantoic ?uid and muscle tissue were lower in cloned pig fetuses than in artificial insemination‐generated pig fetuses, thereby suggesting that cloned pig fetuses underwent fatty acid deficiency. Cloned pig fetuses also displayed trophoblast hypoplasia and a reduced expression of placental fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), which is the predominant FATP family member expressed in porcine placentas. This result suggested that the placental fatty acid transport functions were impaired in cloned pig fetuses, possibly causing fatty acid deficiency in cloned pig fetuses. The present study provides useful information in elucidating the mechanisms underlying the abnormal development of cloned pig fetuses.